How do I start (and continue) writing a novel?

Question

I've been writing stories seriously for the past 7 years, but just can't seem to finish a story. It just gets boring to me, even if I stop and go back to it. I've tried collaborating online and even that doesn't seem to work. Please help!!

Answer 1

Try writing a novel. (Seriously!)

You're past the stage where you can now begin writing a full-length book.

I've been writing for the last 20 years (give or take a year or two), and the last 7 seriously.

The thing about writing and staying consistent is by being more open and creative as a writer. You have to forget about writing inside the box and more outside--if you want to have more successes as an author.

Starting and completing a novel takes time. I should know. There were some instances where I didn't finish a book because I was too burned out and spent several weeks out of the loop before I was able to recover and jump back in.

In my ongoing Price of Freedom novel, there were some parts in the book where I just jumped ahead because I felt overwhelmed by the prospect of being able to draw out the action and charcter conflicts sufficiently enough to deepen the novel's resonance.

But once I realized that I had to go back and explore some more, I felt less pressured and more confident in myself and my abilities. I keep telling myself: "Yes, this book is going to be at least 4 years in the making (2004), and it will take me awhile to complete it."

So there's no pressure.

But what I've found is that *music* is a good medium to write to. It doesn't matter what, just as long as I have something to focus my energies through.

Try also writing a few outlines and begin hashing out your work a bit more by talking it out to yourself. Figure out where the problem areas are the most and find a way to overcome it through writing.

But above all, don't give up because things are tough. Writing a novel is never easy--even for the more experienced authors such as myself.

Answer 2

Its a matter of inspiration. If your getting bored, maybe your not all that intrested in the general theme of the book.

I have done the same thing. I've started stories my entire life, but I always get bored with them and toss them aside. I have written one all the way through. And the trick that got me was writing about something that I am really intested in.

Take a step back and reevaluate your stand on the ideas your using. Maybe you'll find something to inspire you again, or maybe you'll find a new story hiding in the cracks of what you've started.

Answer 3

Just come up with an idea that you will really enjoy to write about. Every good story has a conflict, so keep that in mind. Don't worry about if your readers will like it right now, first just get a story that you will enjoy and want to write.

Answer 4

I don't know if this'll help, but try writing for National Novel Writing Month. The whole purpose of it is to write a novel in one month. It's going to be crap, but you'll have your idea down on paper. You can go back and edit it, of course.
Other than that, my best advice comes from John Joyce. (I think). He was supposed to speak at a lecture about how to become a writer. He goes out on stage, roaring drunk and says, "Who wants to be a writer?" Everyone raises their hand. "Then get out of here, go home and write!" And then he leaves.

Answer 5

Maybe you may want to stick some realty in your writings or some fiction. What ever you do just let you imagination write the story first and then you can write in on paper when your please with what your mind has come up with. Also take from your dreams, they can be very helpful when writing. Good luck.

Answer 6

All you can do is stick with it. Do you have a full outline for your novel? Have you got the characters developed and a skeleton rough done out? Work on those and then begin filling the details in and keep doing it until it's done. Nobody can finish them for you.

Answer 7

If writing gets boring for you, leave it for awhile, and brainstorm. When you feel like you have enough ideas, go back to it. These things happen, re-read the stories, and proof read, this may give you some more ideas.

Answer 8

first of all after u choose ur topic, make table of contents on a piece of paper then write down all the major things u want to cover in the novel and their particular order. after that, under each content u try to elaborate those ideas. this way you go from top main idea to small events related to particular things in ur story. good luck.

Answer 9

First, find a topic that you really love and that you know a lot about or for which you have a strong desire to write about. Novels can be very hard to stick with and take a lot of time and effort but it can be done.

Also, read these links because they give some good tips and advice.

http://www.author-network.com/saevig1.html

http://www.musik-therapie.at/PederHill/

Good luck!

Answer 10

Write on it EVERY day, set aside the same two or three hours. Some days you will really get going, other days you may get a couple of paragraphs only.

Check out:

nanowrimo.org

for more hints.